Huskies set to hit practice floor running

Katie Lou Samuelson and her University of Connecticut women's basketball teammates have had just over six months to think about their loss to Mississippi State in the NCAA Final Four semifinals in Dallas. If the junior All-American had her way, she would have been working and playing days later. She wasn't. The saying is, "Wait till next year," after all.

"One of the biggest things after the way the season ended was that we needed to get back into it and we were able to do that earlier than usual because of the trip to Italy," Samuelson said. "We're ready to go. This team is ahead of where the others were since I've been here because we've had more time together and we know what we need to get done to get better."

The Huskies open practice officially Thursday with a workout at the Werth Family Champions Center, exactly one month before they begin the regular season against Stanford in the Countdown to Columbus at Nationwide Arena.

For the first time in five years, they are not the reigning national champion. Their 111-game winning streak now belongs to the record and history books. In fact, the first streak they'll deal with to start the new campaign is avoiding back-to-back losses for the first time in 886 games.

Still with what they have coming back and what they have added, they figure to be ranked the No. 1 team in the country when the preseason polls come out.

Samuelson and Collier recently took part in their first United States senior national team camp while Nurse led Team Canada to a gold medal at the FIBA Americas Championship in August. Also back from last season are sophomores Crystal Dangerfield, Molly Bent, and Kyla Irwin. Redshirt junior Azura Stevens and redshirt sophomore Batouly Camara are eligible after sitting out last year due to NCAA transfer rules. Freshmen Mikayla Coombs, Lexi Gordon, Andra Espinoza-Hunter, and Megan Walker were rated among the top three recruiting classes in the country coming out of high school.

While much of the cast is the same, there is plenty that's different.

"I actually felt most prepared my freshman year because I didn't have to do anything because of the seniors we had then," Samuelson said. "This year I have more responsibility and it's important for me to lead and set a good example. Almost half of our team hasn't played a game at Connecticut before. I'm really looking forward to the challenges that we'll have."

The Huskies did get a head start in August as they took a 10-day tour of Italy that included four exhibition games.

"The trip was so good for us," Collier said. "We got to practice before we left and the games in Italy showed us a lot of things and exposed a lot of things we're going to need to work on. It was a big advantage for us and it's helping us going forward."

UConn finished 3-1 in Italy losing the finale to Slovenian and Adriatic League champion Celje. Coach Geno Auriemma said the basketball portion of the trip was just what he was hoping for.

"We got to see some things that we already assumed," Auriemma said. "We were able to point out to some of our players, 'This is how good we can be and this is how much better some of you need to get if you want to contribute.' We already knew we had four of the best players in the country. Now we wanted to find out how many more than four that we have and how many more than four can we think are going to be solid enough that they're going to enhance these other four.

"People want to talk about, 'How are you going to make sure what happened last year doesn't happen again? How are you going to do that? How are you going to make sure you don't lose a game in overtime in the Final Four? How are you going to make sure you go more than 36-1?' You don't make sure that that doesn't happen. What you try to do is make everyone better. You try to make everyone on your team a little bit better and see what happens."

UConn must replace starting guard Saniya Chong, who graduated and moved on to the WNBA's Dallas Wings. Auriemma has options but a source within the program said that Dangerfield -- who is the first to tell you that she had an up-and-down season as a freshman -- has the inside track on that final starting spot as practice begins. The point guard from Murfreesboro, Tennessee, earned rave reviews for her play this summer with USA Basketball and with the Huskies. Her effort has remained strong in the fall and the source said she's the most improved player on the club.

Stevens at 6-foot-6 and Camara at 6-foot-2 add size, though Stevens is also solid on the perimeter. The freshman class will add depth and many eyes will be on Walker, who swept most of the 2017 national high school Player of the Year honors.

UConn will see where it stands early as it opens with games against Final Four participant Stanford, the Cardinal's Pac-12 archrival California, and Sweet 16 teams Maryland and UCLA. The game against the Bruins at Pauley Pavilion will come just two days after the Huskies face the Terrapins in Hartford.

There will be December games against Notre Dame, DePaul, and Oklahoma. If UConn wins its first eight games, Auriemma will go for his 1,000th career win against the Sooners and coach Sherri Coale at Mohegan Sun Arena Dec. 19. The Huskies' 16-game American Athletic Conference schedule will be broken up by non-league games at Texas, at South Carolina, and home with Louisville.

WATCH: Dan Hurley believes UConn's move back to Big East will benefit fans and recruiting alike

'It's where we belong'

Jun 27 | 4:53PM

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Big East adds UConn Huskies00:01:43

UConn men's basketball coach Dan Hurley gives his comments on the Huskies being back in the Big East Conference.

Thursday was a momentous day for UConn, as the school was welcomed back as a member of the Big East, though they won't officially make the move until 2020.

Big East commissioner Val Ackerman called UConn's move out of the American Athletic Conference back "an opportunity that we simply couldn't pass up", and men's basketball coach Dan Hurley echoed those thoughts.

"The incredible history and tradition of UConn basketball and the Big East Conference, they're intertwined," Hurley told SNY. "Four National Championships the last 20-plus years on the men's side, obviously the success Geno [Auriemma] has had, and it's all been intertwined."

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WATCH: Commissioner Val Ackerman announces UConn's return to Big East

The Huskies' return won't be until July 2020

Jun 27 | 1:37PM

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Big East adds UConn Huskies00:01:23

Big East commission Val Ackerman announces that the UConn Huskies are officially back as a member of the Big East Conference.

UConn made the move back into the Big East Conference, as the Board of Trustees voted to withdraw their school from the American Athletic Conference on Wednesday.

On Thursday, it was made official.

Big East commissioner Val Ackerman addressed the large crowd at Madison Square Garden to welcome back the Huskies to the Big East. She noted this being "an opportunity that we simply couldn't pass up," and with what UConn has accomplished in the conference, this was a match made in heaven once again...

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UConn Board of Trustees votes to re-join Big East, leave AAC

UConn would return to Big East in 2020

Jun 26 | 1:10PM

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A Big East logo on the court at the Wells Fargo Center (Bill Streicher/USA TODAY Sports)

The UConn Board of Trustees voted to withdraw the school from the American Athletic Conference and accept an invitation to the Big East Conference on Wednesday.

UConn, which left the Big East in 2013 to join the AAC, will return beginning in the 2020-21 academic year.

Big East presidents approved UConn's invitation on a conference call on Monday.

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UConn reportedly clears one hurdle as Huskies aim to re-join Big East

UConn would return to Big East in 2020

Jun 24 | 7:25PM

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The Big East logo on the court at The Pavilion (Bill Streicher/USA TODAY Sports)

UConn is reportedly headed back to the Big East, and the school reportedly cleared one hurdle on Monday.

Big East presidents approved UConn's invitation on a conference call on Monday, CBS Sports' Matt Norlander reports, and UConn's Board of Trustees is reportedly expected to vote and approve the move on Wednesday. A formal announcement could come Thursday.

UConn, which left the Big East in 2013 to join the American Athletic Conference, would return to the Big East for the 2020-21 academic year.

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UConn star Jalen Adams signs with Pelicans after NBA draft

Adams averaged 16.9 points as a senior

Jun 21 | 11:14AM

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Connecticut Huskies guard Jalen Adams reacts with guard Christian Vital after a play against the Cornell Big Red in the second half at XL Center. (David Butler II/USA TODAY Sports)

UConn men's basketball star guard Jalen Adams signed with the New Orleans Pelicans after the NBA draft, the team announced.

Adams averaged 16.9 points, 4.0 rebounds and 3.4 assists in 26 games as a senior, his final season cut short due to a sprained MCL.

Cash has been New York Liberty's director of franchise development since '17

Jun 10 | 11:23AM

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(Charles LeClaire)

A UConn legend in Swin Cash has reportedly secured a senior front-office position with the New Orleans Pelicans, according to ESPN's Zach Lowe.

Lowe has the official title for Cash being the vice president of basketball operations and team development, which has the duties of guiding player development and scouting among others.

The Pelicans have been revamping their front office, with new president of basketball operations David Griffin leading the way. Griffin has also brought in Trajan Langdon to be the team's new GM.

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UConn greats Katie Lou Samuelson and Napheesa Collier drafted to WNBA

Samuelson picked fourth, Collier sixth

Apr 11 | 12:32PM

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UConn Huskies guard Katie Lou Samuelson reacts after a play against the Louisville Cardinals during the second half in the championship game of the Albany regional in the women's 2019 NCAA tournament at Times Union Center. (Rich Barnes/USA TODAY Sports)

Samuelson was drafted fourth by the Chicago Sky, while Collier was picked sixth by the Minnesota Lynx at Wednesday's WNBA draft.

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WATCH: Legacy of Katie Lou Samuelson and Napheesa Collier

Samuelson, Collier finish UConn careers

Apr 8 | 8:01PM

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Legacy of Katie Lou & Napheesa00:01:23

UConn Huskies may have lost in the Final Four but the impact Napheesa Collier and Katie Lou Samuelson will be remembered for years to come

The UConn Huskies may have lost in the Final Four, but the impact Katie Lou Samuelson and Napheesa Collier had will be remembered for years to come.

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WATCH: UConn in right direction after Dan Hurley's first season

Hurley starting Huskies rebuild

Apr 8 | 8:24PM

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Hurley establishing good culture00:01:39

UConn Huskies head coach Dan Hurley is establishing good culture after his first full season and has the Huskies back on track to greatness

UConn head coach Dan Hurley is establishing good culture after his first full season, and has the Huskies back on track to greatness.

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UConn falls short of National Championship in 81-76 loss to Notre Dame

The Huskies couldn't make it count late as ND pulled away in the end

Apr 5 | 11:25PM

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UConn falls 81-76 to Notre Dame00:01:19

UConn fell short in the Final Four against Notre Dame losing 81-76. Katie Lou Samuelson & Naphessa Collier finish their careers as Huskies

The University of Connecticut Lady Huskies fell to the Notre Dame Fighting Irish for the second consecutive season in the NCAA Tournament semifinal, 81-76, in Tampa Bay.

Things to know about Friday's game...

1) With one minute left to play, the Huskies were down just one point. And though they got some good looks at taking the lead, it was Brianna Turner for the Irish that came up with big blocks to keep Notre Dame's lead. She is Notre Dame's blocks leader in team history, and it came up big tonight. She also had 15 points and 14 rebounds...

For us, we just got to be ready to play defense and play our game."

Apr 4 | 5:37PM

SNY's Justine Ward talks to Katie Lou Samuelson about UConn's clash with Notre Dame in the Final Four on Friday night.

The University of Connecticut Lady Huskies know this moment all too well. They're just looking for a different result this time.

UConn traveled to Tampa, FL for the Final Four, and lo and behold they're facing Notre Dame once again with the winner heading to the National Championship. Husky fans will remember what happened the past two seasons -- two losses in the semifinal in the game's final seconds.

Last season, it came at the hands of Notre Dame, which is why UConn has been in the film room watching exactly what went wrong in that game so it doesn't happen this time around...

"I think just understanding that i needed to step up bigger than i did on Friday and understanding that if i didn't this could be the end of the road for me," Samuelson said. "There was a lot on the line and we wanted to get back to the Final Four."

UConn advances to Final Four with 80-73 Elite Eight victory over Louisville

Mar 31 | 2:26PM

UConn's Geno Auriemma and Katie Lou Samuelson comment on Samuelson's 29-point performance, leading UConn to it's 20th Final Four appearance.

Katie Lou Samuleson led the UConn Lady Huskies to a 80-73 Elite Eight win over Louisville to advance to the FInal Four on Sunday afternoon.

Things to know about Sunday's game...

1) The Huskies owned an 11-point lead in the fourth quarter, but they were close to blowing it. With just 26.6 seconds left on the clock, the Huskies saw their lead cut to two. Luckily, though, they hit their free throws. Samuelson drained two to make it 77-73, and when Asia Durr from Louisville had a chance to move it back to a two-point lead for UConn, she missed them both. Napheese Collier, then, got fouled and hit her free throws to pull away a bit.

Huskies lost to Louisville, 78-69, on Jan. 31

Mar 30 | 10:22PM

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UConn preps for Louisville00:02:55

Louisville was one of two losses for UConn during the regular season. The two teams will now face off in the Elite Eight in Albany.

Geno Auriemma and the UConn women's basketball team are back in the NCAA Tournament's Elite Eight for a remarkable 14th straight year, but they face a tall task on Sunday as the No. 2-seeded Huskies face No. 1 Louisville in the Albany Regional final. UConn lost to Louisville back on Jan. 31, 78-69.

Does that result have any impact on Sunday's matchup?

"I think every team understands that what happens in the regular season, that happened last year almost," Auriemma told SNY's Maria Marino. "This is a whole new year. Postseason play is completely different than regular-season play. We've certainly been there before where we won a couple of games in the regular season and you lose to the same team in the postseason. I don't think what happened in that first game is gonna have a lot of bearing on what happens in this game."

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UConn advances to Elite Eight with tough 69-61 win over UCLA

Napheesa Collier tallied 25 points, 10 rebounds

Mar 29 | 9:12PM

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UConn advances to Elite 800:01:45

UConn Huskies defeat UCLA and advance to their 14th straight Elite 8. Geno Auriemma expands on how his players grinded out this win.

The UConn Lady Huskies were tested by the UCLA Bruins on Friday night, but they picked it up for a 69-61 win to advance in the NCAA Tournament >> Box Score

Things to know about tonight's game...

1) Napheesa Collier led the way for UConn with 25 points, 10 boards, and four blocks on the defensive end.

WATCH: UConn's Geno Auriemma talks UCLA, more ahead of Sweet 16

Auriemma has an interesting take on how he looks at the tourney

Mar 28 | 2:20PM

Maria Marino talked to Geno Auriemma ahead of the Huskies Sweet 16 game against UCLA. They face off Friday at 7pm.

As expected, the University of Connecticut Lady Huskiesd waltzed their way through the first and second rounds of the NCAA Tournament.

Now, they find themselves in Albany, NY for the Sweet 16 to face off against sixth-seeded UCLA. It's still survive and advance for UConn, but head coach Geno Auriemma has an interesting take on how he looks at the tournament.

"I think when you get here it's a new tournament," Auriemma told SNY's Maria Marino. "The way we treat the NCAA Tournament is it's three little tournaments, you know. So the first one's over, that was last weekend. Now you start a new one."

Auriemma also discussed what the Bruins bring to the table, and how UConn's game against Buffalo helped prepare them for this game...

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UConn advances to 26th straight Sweet 16 with 84-72 win over Buffalo

Collier records double-double, Samuelson scores 17

Mar 24 | 9:25PM

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Collier and UConn go to Sweet 1600:00:50

UConn's Napheesa Collier talks to SNY about the team's win over Buffalo in the NCAA Tournament on Sunday, sending UConn to the Sweet 16

Napheesa Collier scored 27 points and grabbed 16 rebounds as UConn held off 10th seeded Buffalo 84-72 on Sunday night to move into the Sweet 16 for a 26th consecutive season.

UConn seniors Napheesa Collier and Katie Lou Samuelson prepare for final game at Gampel Pavilion

By Daniel Connolly | Mar 23 | 11:05PM

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Geno Auriemma on Round 200:01:29

On his birthday, UConn coach Geno Auriemma talks about Katie Lou Samuelson's return to the team and their 2nd round game against Buffalo

STORRS -- Napheesa Collier and Katie Lou Samuelson had quite the introduction to Gampel Pavilion as freshmen. In their first regular season game, UConn played archrival Notre Dame in front of a sold-out crowd.

"That's one of the games I remember the crowd being crazy," Samuelson said. "One of the few games in my career I actually remember the crowd and that was definitely one of them, especially because it was one of the big games."

Collier didn't remember the game as much as her feelings leading up to it.

"I remember how nervous I was. Just being in this environment with our fans," she said. "Playing in Gampel, it was a lot."

Geno Auriemma: 'Unfair' to define UConn seniors by number of national titles

Katie Lou Samuelson and Napheesa Collier look to add second ring to resume

By Daniel Connolly | Mar 19 | 7:18PM

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Connecticut Huskies guard/forward Katie Lou Samuelson and forward Napheesa Collier react after a play against the South Carolina Gamecocks in the second half at XL Center (David Butler II/USA TODAY Sports)

STORRS -- Napheesa Collier and Katie Lou Samuelson had a perfect start to their college career, literally. As freshmen, the Huskies went undefeated and won the program's 11th national championship.

Since then, the two classmates have done plenty of winning -- eight conference titles, helping build a 111-game win streak and reaching three straight Final Fours -- but they're missing one thing: a second national championship.

Fair or not, careers are judged at UConn by how many rings a player wins.

UConn selected as No. 2 seed for first time in 13 years

Mar 18 | 4:57PM

UConn head coach Geno Auriemma talks to SNY's Justine Ward about his team getting a "rare" # 2 seed in the NCAA Tournament.

Nearly four hours before the scheduled women's NCAA Tournament bracket reveal on ESPN, the network accidentally leaked the entire bracket on Monday during the 3 p.m. Eastern hour on ESPNU.

ESPN acknowledged its error in a statement.

"In working with the NCAA to prepare for tonight's Women's Selection Special we received the bracket, similar to years past. In the midst of our preparation, the bracket was mistakenly posted on ESPNU," it said in the statement. "We deeply regret the error and extend our apology to the NCAA and the women's basketball community. We will conduct a thorough review of our process to ensure it doesn't happen in the future. We will now broadcast the full bracket at 5 p.m. ET on ESPN2, and the regularly-scheduled show on ESPN at 7 p.m."

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) UConn's success in March continued in the opening round of the American Athletic Conference tournament thanks to accurate first-half shooting that spread into the early stages of the second.

The shooting that hovered above 63 percent with eight minutes left in the game, provided enough of a buffer for UConn to withstand a late run by South Florida, allowing the Huskies to hold on for an 80-73 victory on Thursday.

"(The Huskies) run and their transition offense really put us in a bind," USF coach Brian Gregory said. "We were on our heels in transition." >> Read More

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UConn tops UCF 66-45 to win sixth straight AAC title

Collier scores 25 points, tallies 14 boards

Mar 11 | 11:15PM

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UCONN wins AAC Tournament00:00:48

The Huskies are just warming up. They easily won the AAC tournament and improved their all-time record to 120-0 in conference play.

No. 2 UConn was forced to play the American Athletic Conference Tournament without injured All-American Katie Lou Samuelson and may have become a more complete team as a result.

GREENVILLE, N.C. (AP) After missing seven games with a sprained ligament in his knee, Connecticut senior guard Jalen Adams was adamant about playing Sunday.

He told coach Danny Hurley that he wanted to wear the UConn jersey again, then took the Huskies' offense to a higher level in an 82-73 defeat of East Carolina at Minges Coliseum. Adams tied his career high with 12 assists and scored 13 points in the regular-season finale for both teams. Teammates Josh Carlton (20 points), Tyler Polley (19 points) and Christian Vital (16 points) all benefited from having Adams back in the lineup as the Huskies (15-16, 6-12 American Athletic Conference) won on an opponent's home floor for the first time this season.

"Being at one school for four years, it's only right you get to put on the jersey to close out the end of the season," Adams said. "It just meant a lot to be out there with my brothers. It's probably my last time to be playing on a team where everyone genuinely cares for me and loves me. After this, it's probably going to be just business."

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UConn reaches AAC championship game with 81-45 win over USF

Collier, Walker combine for 47 points

Mar 10 | 6:16PM

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UConn routs South Florida00:01:28

UConn defeated South Florida 81-45 in the AAC semifinal game. The Huskies were lead by Collier and her strong shooting from beyond the arc.

Megan Walker scored 24 points and Napheesa Collier added 23 to lead No. 2 UConn to an 81-45 rout of South Florida on Sunday and move Huskies into their sixth straight American Athletic Conference championship game.

Crystal Dangerfield added 11 points and Christyn Williams chipped in 10 for Connecticut (30-2), which has never lost to an AAC opponent and has won 30 games for a 14th consecutive season.

UConn (29-2) beat the Pirates last month in Hartford by 63 points, a game in which Samuelson scored 31. She hurt her back in a game last week and the Huskies say she won't be back before the NCAA Tournament.

Minus Samuelson, UConn led just 24-22 after a quarter and 46-39 at halftime. Olivia Nelson-Ododa, who started in Samuelson's place, finished with 17 rebounds and five blocks.

Alterique Gilbert's injury woes continue as UConn announced the redshirt sophomore point guard is dealing with a concussion and eye injury.

In Thursday's 78-71 loss to Temple, Gilbert left the game after colliding with a Temple player and stayed overnight at Hartford Hospital.

According to the school, Gilbert will not participate in basketball activities for "an indefinite period of time."

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UConn's Katie Lou Samuelson out for AAC Tournament with back injury

The Huskies' offense struggled without Samuelson last time out

By Daniel Connolly | Mar 8 | 5:46PM

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Katie Lou Samuelson gets injured00:01:29

On Senior Day, Katie Lou Samuelson had to leave the first half against UConn after diving for a loose ball with an apparent back injury.

UConn women's basketball ruled senior Katie Lou Samuelson out for the AAC Tournament this weekend due to a back injury suffered last Saturday against Houston. The injury happened when Samuelson dove for a loose ball and collided with an opposing player. She tried to return in the second half, but quickly checked out.

In the Huskies' one game without Samuelson against USF, the offense struggled to get going for the first 30 minutes. UConn scored a season-low 25 points in the first half and needed a late push in the fourth quarter to get the win over the Bulls.

Olivia Nelson-Ododa got the start in Samuelson's place last game, and is a good bet to start in the tournament. Kyla Irwin also started two games back in December when Megan Walker missed a pair of contests with strep throat, but hasn't played much recently. Both would be options if head coach Geno Auriemma wants to replace Samuelson with another big, but if he decides to go small, Molly Bent or Mikayla Coombs could see their first career start.

Mar 4 | 9:26PM

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UConn finishes regular season00:00:35

The Huskies played their regular season finale against USF without senior Katie Lou Samuelson, it was a good test before the tournament.

Christyn Williams scored eight of her 10 points in the fourth quarter and second-ranked UConn finished the game on a 9-0 run to pull away to a 57-47 regular season-ending victory over South Florida on Monday night.

The Huskies (28-2, 16-0), playing without injured star Katie Lou Samuelson, completed another perfect run through the American Athletic Conference, improving to 102-0 during the regular season against league opponents since the AAC was formed six seasons ago.

Samuelson did not play after hurting her back during last Saturday's 83-61 home victory over Houston. She accompanied the team to Florida, however the Huskies announced a little over an hour before the game that the two-time All-American would not be available.

STORRS -- In the second half of the UConn women's basketball's game on Saturday against Houston, senior Katie Lou Samuelson went diving for a loose ball and collided with a opposing player. Samuelson immediately rolled over in pain and stayed down on the court as Gampel Pavilion went dead silent.

She eventually walked off the court under her own power before heading into the locker room with team trainer Janelle Francisco.

"I don't know exactly what happened," Samuelson said on the play that caused the injury. "I just got hit where my muscle just spasmed and tightened up right after."

Fellow senior Katie Lou Samuelson scored 11 points for UConn (27-2, 15-0 American) before injuring her back diving for a loose ball in the second quarter. She returned to start the second half but struggled to run and was pulled after the first minute.

Jasmyne Harris, Octavia Barnes and Dorian Branch each had 14 points for Houston (15-13, 9-6), which opened a 17-7 lead and led by a point after the first quarter.

WATCH: Kobe Bryant's high praise for UConn women's hoops program

SNY caught up with Bryant Saturday during UConn's victory

Mar 2 | 4:02PM

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Kobe has high praise for UConn00:02:23

Kobe Bryant and his daughter are fans of UConn. He talks UConn's success, being beat 1-on-1 by his daughter, and what he's been up to.

Kobe Bryant and his 12-year-old daughter Gianna are both big fans of UConn's women's basketball program. Gianna has been especially fond of the team and hopes to play for the Huskies eventually, and it's the people involved that have drawn her to the program.

"I think the players, first and foremost. The camaraderie that they have with each other is something she kind of gravitated to," Kobe told SNY's Justine Ward at Saturday's game in Storrs. "And then Geno (Auriemma) and (Chris Dailey) and their leadership and the culture of the program, all the way on down to Rebecca (Lobo) and Diana (Taurasi) and Sue (Bird), so she loves the program."

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WATCH: Kobe Bryant's daughter says she can beat him 1-on-1

SNY spoke with Bryant Saturday during UConn game

Mar 2 | 3:33PM

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Kobe has high praise for UConn00:02:23

Kobe Bryant and his daughter are fans of UConn. He talks UConn's success, being beat 1-on-1 by his daughter, and what he's been up to.

Kobe Bryant's daughter Gianna has her dad's trademark confidence.

During an interview with SNY Saturday afternoon at UConn's victory over Houston, the question was posed to Kobe if her 12-year-old daughter, whom he has been teaching basketball to, if she could beat him one-on-one.

He turned to his daughter to ask the same question.

"Yeah," she said smiling. Bryant told Reggie Miller in a video captured in October that Gianna is "hellbent" on going to UConn.

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UConn's Katie Lou Samuelson leaves Senior Day with back spasms

Samuelson returned briefly in third quarter

Mar 2 | 2:29PM

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Katie Lou Samuelson gets injured00:01:29

On Senior Day, Katie Lou Samuelson had to leave the first half against UConn after diving for a loose ball with an apparent back injury.

Katie Lou Samuelson was being honored on Saturday as part of UConn's Senior Day, but the guard suffered a scare late in the first half.

Samuelson went down in pain, grabbing her back and had to leave the game.

UConn seniors Napheesa Collier, Katie Lou Samuelson a special duo

Collier, Lou Samuelson to be honored Saturday at Senior Day

By Daniel Connolly | Mar 2 | 9:12AM

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UConn celebrates senior day00:02:32

Senior duo Katie Lou Samuelson and Napheesa Collier are obviously successful on the court, but their lasting impact on UConn is much more.

STORRS -- When looking back on the careers of UConn seniors Napheesa Collier and Katie Lou Samuelson, it'll be hard to separate one from the other. They both came to Storrs as freshmen in 2015 and were solid role players on the Huskies' 2016 national title team.

The next season, they won co-AAC Player of the Year and were both named First Team All-Americans.

Not only are Collier and Samuelson the only two classmates to eclipse the 2,000 point mark in program history, they're also the highest-scoring classmates.

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Geno Auriemma returns after missing two games with illness

Auriemma missed road wins over Tulsa and Wichita State

By Daniel Connolly | Mar 2 | 1:06AM

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Mar 24, 2018; Albany , NY, USA; Connecticut Huskies head coach Geno Auriemma looks on against the Duke Blue Devils during the second half in the semifinals of the Albany regional of the women's basketball 2018 NCAA Tournament at the Times Union Center. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports (Rich Barnes)

STORRS -- After missing both of UConn's games last week due to an illness, Geno Auriemma was back at practice ahead of the Huskies' final home game against Houston on Saturday.

In his absence, associate head coach Chris Dailey took command of the team and improved her record as a head coach to 9-0. While Auriemma watched from his couch at home, he enjoyed getting to see the game from a different perspective.

"It's really a weird dynamic when you're watching on television because you're watching the game differently," he said. "You're not worried about 'Who do I have to sub in?' You're not talking to your coaches, you're not bitching about who didn't rebound who didn't screen. You're just watching the game and as you're watching the game, you almost start acting like a fan."

WICHITA, Kan. (AP) Samajae Haynes-Jones scored 20 points and hit a jumper at the buzzer as Wichita State erased a 10-point deficit and beat Connecticut 65-63 on Thursday night.

UConn's Alterique Gilbert scored on back-to-back 3-pointers inside the final minute that tied the game at 63. Haynes-Jones took an inbounds pass with 6.4 seconds to go, dribbled the floor and sealed it with an off-balance shot from the corner.

Wichita State (14-13, 7-8 American Athletic Conference) rebounded from an 88-85 loss against Memphis on Saturday and has won two of its last three games. Coach Gregg Marshall also picked up his 300th career win with the Shockers. >> Read More

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WATCH: Points in the Paint - UConn vs. Wichita State

Feb 26 | 10:10PM

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Points in the Paint: UConn00:00:22

UConn outscored Wichita State, 28-16, in the paint on their way to a dominating 84-47 victory, presented by Ring's End.

UConn outscored Wichita State 28-16 in the paint on their way to a dominating 84-47 victory, presented by Ring's End.

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UConn clinches sixth straight AAC regular season title with 84-47 victory over Wichita State

Auriemma misses second consecutive game with stomach bug

Feb 26 | 9:40PM

Napheesa Collier scored 32 points, making 13 of 15 shots, and grabbed 12 rebounds to lead No. 2 UConn to an 84-47 victory over Wichita State on Tuesday night.

The Huskies were missing coach Geno Auriemma for the second straight game because of a stomach virus. The Hall of Famer issued a statement saying he expects to be back on the sideline Saturday for the Huskies final home game of the season against Houston.

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WATCH: Points in the Paint - UConn vs. Tulsa

Feb 24 | 10:10PM

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Points in the Paint: UConn00:00:51

UConn outscored Tulsa early in the paint, which led them to another big victory, presented by Ring's End.

UConn outscored Tulsa early in the paint, which led them to another big victory, presented by Ring's End.

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Megan Walker leads Geno Auriemma-less UConn to 68-49 win over Tulsa

Walker, Collier both record double-doubles

Feb 24 | 5:48PM

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UConn beats Tulsa, 68-4900:02:27

Megan Walker leads UConn to a 68-49 win over Tulsa on Sunday afternoon, as the Huskies played without coach Geno Auriemma.

Megan Walker scored 21 points and No. 3 UConn, playing without Hall of Fame coach Geno Auriemma, rolled to a 68-49 victory over Tulsa on Sunday.

Auriemma missed the game with an illness. He did not travel with the Huskies for the opener of a two-game trip, but hopes to return for Tuesday's game at Wichita State.

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UConn's late rally falls short as Huskies lose to Cincinnati 64-60

Huskies drop fifth straight game

Feb 24 | 4:49PM

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UConn lose to Cincinati, 64-6000:01:46

UConn's late rally falls short, as the Huskies fell to the Cincinnati Bearcats 64-60 on Sunday for their 5th straight loss.

Keith Williams scored 12 points and Cane Broom added 10, including a late 3-pointer that helped Cincinnati to a 64-60 road win over UConn on Sunday.

Justin Jennifer also had 10 points for the Bearcats, who have won 11 of their last 12 with the only loss during that stretch coming at No. 9 Houston, which leads Cincinnati (23-4, 12-2 American) by a game in the race for the AAC title.

Christian Vital had 14 points and Alterique Gilbert had 13 to lead UConn (13-14, 4-10).